Plastic nozzle and screw cap assembly



Dec. 31', 1957 J. HENCHERT ET AL PLASTIC NOZZLE AND SCREW CAP ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1956 WW MT M ,I i 16 .m

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BY WM 1957 I J. HENCHERT ET AL PLASTIC NOZZLE AND SCREW CAP ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 27, 1956 I INVENT Rs \TOJZ [672 C k197i,

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PLASTIC NOZZLE AND SCREW CAP ASSEIVIBLY John Henchert, River Forest, and William F. Punte, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 27, 1956, Serial No. 561,734

8 Claims. (Cl. 222-551) The invention relates generally to metallic receptacles and seeks to provide a novel plastic nozzle and screw cap assembly wherein the nozzle is mounted on a metal can top or breast and the cap is so constructed and arranged as to cooperate with the nozzle in forming an efiicient seal without need of employing a gasket.

Nozzle mountings of this general type have been provided heretofore wherein the nozzle is forced upwardly through a receiving neck in a can top or breast, the nozzle including an outwardly extending flange engageable with the under or interiorly presented face of the can top or breast for the purpose of definitely placing the nozzle. It sometimes happens that containers equipped with such nozzle mountings are accidentally dropped on their head ends and the impact of the head ends with a floor or the like results in displacement of the nozzle inwardly in the mounting neck. It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a screw cap and nozzle arrangement wherein the cap includes a skirt portion engageable with the cap top or breast when the cap is threaded home in nozzle sealing condition, thereby to assure against inward displacement of the nozzle as a result of forces applied against the cap and tending to displace the nozzle inwardly through the mounting neck.

Another object of the invention is to provide a screw cap and nozzle assembly of the character stated wherein the can top or breast and the cap skirt have cooperatively interengageable protuberances and depressions eifective to prevent inadvertent turning of the cap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a screw cap and nozzle assembly of the character stated wherein the nozzle is formed of a relatively soft, deformable plastic material, such as polyethylene, and the cap is formed of a harder material, such as polystyrene, the cap having an annular and downwardly directed bead disposed to become embedded in sealing contact with the end extremity of the nozzle when the cap is threaded home on the nozzle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a screw cap and nozzle assembly of the character stated wherein the cap also has a centrally disposed and downwardly tapered stopper portion engageable with the corner defining the end extremity of the pouring throat of the nozzle and which is deformed by the engaging tapered cap wall to form an efficient annular seal cooperating with the annular seal provided by engagement of the cap bead with the end extremity of the nozzle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a screw cap and nozzle assembly of the character stated wherein the cap stopper portion taper and the cap bead are so cooperatively arranged that the taper wall portion will first engage with the nozzle throat defining end edge and then the cap head will come against the nozzle end extremity to deform said extremity as the taper wall is in the process of deforming the nozzle throat defining edge so that the bead in forming its annular seal will cooperate with and accentuate the seal made by the taper wall by deforming nozzle end extremity material toward said taper wall.

nited States Patent .With the above and other objects in view that will here inafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an enlarged vertical cross section and part side elevation illustrating the improved nozzle and cap assembly, the cap being shown in its fully seated or sealing position.

Figure 2 is a plan view.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the cap in the process of being screwed home on the nozzle, the tapered stopper portion being shown at the point of initial contact with the pouring mouth defining edge extremity of the nozzle.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but illustrating the initial engagement of the cap bead with the nozzle end extremity, the pouring mouth defining edge of the nozzle having been partially deformed.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the condition of the parts in the fully seated, full seal condi tion of the cap.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the cap locking interengagement of the cooperating protuberances and recesses provided on the lower end of the cap and the cap top or breast respectively.

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a modified form of the cap wherein the bead is rounded in cross section instead of V-shaped as in the other illustrations.

In the example embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, the nozzle is formed of a plastic material, polyethylene for example, which is subject to deformation but has the quality of springing back to its normal shape. The nozzle includes a tubular body 5 equipped with an external square thread 6, and the nozzle also is provided with an outwardly projecting flange 7 at its lower end extremity.

The nozzle is inserted upwardly through the neck 8 in a cap top or breast 9 until the flange 7 firmly abuts the undersurface of the can top or breast and definitely places the nozzle in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure l. The upper edge extremity of the neck 8 preferably is indented into the nozzle body as at 10, and a plurality of upright, circumferentially spaced ribs 11 may be formed on the neck in position for being embedded in the external surface of the nozzle so as to prevent turning of the nozzle within the neck as the cap is screwed home on the nozzle. The can top or breast portion immediately surrounding the neck 8 is provided with circumferentially spaced depressions 12, the purpose of which will become apparent as this description progresses.

The closure cap generally designated 13 is formed of material that is harder than the nozzle, polystyrene constituting an acceptable example of such material. The cap is internally threaded as at 14 and has an annular head end 15 surrounded by finger grip recessing at 16, and a central, depressed stopper portion 17 presenting an inwardly tapered outer wall portion 18 for engagement in the pouring mouth of the nozzle. The nozzle has a flat end extremity 19 and an inner edge 20 defining the pouring mouth of the nozzle. It will be apparent by reference to Figure 1 that the nozzle 5 and the cooperating cap are so proportioned and cooperatively arranged that when the cap is threaded home on the nozzle, as indicated in Figure 1, its lower end or skirt extremity 21 is disposed to engage or approximately engage the opposing surface of the can top or breast 9. The lower end extremity of the cap is provided with circumferentially spaced protuberances 22 adapted to engage in the breast or can top depressions or recesses 12 so as to secure the. cap against. inadvertent. rotation relative. to. the nozzle. when the same has been screwed home as illustrated in Figure l. The extension of the lower end extremity of the. cap; into close. proximity with the. can top or breast 9: serves. another andvery important purpose. It sometimes happens that containers. of the.- character described are dropped and fall head: downwardly against a floor or other obstruction. In the particular assembly dis.- closed herein such forces directed against the cap. and tending to. displace. the nozzle 51 inwardly through the mounting neck 8 will: be: resisted by engagement of the lower cap. end extremity with the can top. or breast 9, thus assuring against displacement of the nozzle.

It will be apparent by reference to Figure 3'. of the drawing that the inwardly tapered stopper wall portion 18: of the. capis disposed to engage in the pouring mouth of the nozzle as the-cap 133 is threaded home on the nozzle body, the tapered. wall portion first engaging at 23 with the sharp inner edge 20 defining the pouring mouth of the nozzle as illustrated in Figure 3. end portion of the cap also. is equipped with an inwardly directed: annular bead 24 which is spaced a limited distance outwardly of the tapered wall portion in concentric relation thereto, and is V-shaped in cross section, presenting a sharp edge for sealing engagement against the flat end extremity 19 of the nozzle body. It will be apparent by reference to. Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing that the tapered stopper wall portion 18 and the bead or rib. 24 are so placed withrelation to the pouring mouth. defining edge andthe flat end extremity 19 of the nozzle body that the tapered wall 18 first engages and slightly deforms the edge 20,. as indicated in Figure 4, before the bead 24 engages and becomes embedded in the fiat end extremity 19 of the nozzle. The engagement of the tapered wall 18 with the pouring mouth defining edge 20' of the nozzle body forms afirst annular seal, and then when the annular rib 24 bites into the end extremity of the nozzle a second annular seal is provided and the rib or bead 24 also serves to deform the nozzle end portion inwardly so as to cooperate with and accentuate the seal made by the tapered wall portion 18 against the pouring mouth defining nozzle edge 20. The center plug or stopper portion 17, 18 not only serves to form a very tight seal in the pouring mouth of the nozzle, but it also acts: as a pilot to. accurately round up the spout as the cap is being threaded intothe tight sealing and cap and nozzle securing position illustrated in Figure 1.

In- Figure 7, a slight modification of the closure cap is illustrated wherein the nozzle end engaging rib or bead is rounded in cross section as indicated at 25' instead of being sharp, V'-shaped' as in the other disclosures.

While preferred and alternative structures embodying the invention are illustrated herein, it is to be understood that other modifications may be provided without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a container structure, a plastic nozzle comprising- .a tubular body having an outwardly extending abutment flange at its lower end' extremity, a metal container wall having a neck upstanding therefrom and embracing the nozzle bodywith the abutment flange placed firmly over the juncture of the-neck with said wall, and a closure cap threadedlymounted on the nozzle body and includ ing a skirt engaging said wall when the cap is threaded home on the nozzle body to assure against displacement of the nozzle inwardly in the neck by forces applied against the outer end of the nozzle and the cap thereon.

'2. In a container structure, a deformable plastic nozzle comprising a tubular bodyhavinga flat end extremity and aninner edge defining a pouring mouth, a cap threadedly mounted on said body and formed of material harder than the nozzle and including a closure endhaving a centrally disposed and inwardly tapered stop- The annular head per portion engageable. in sealing contact. with the pouring mouth defining edge, said closure end also having an annular bead engageable in sealing contact with the flat end extremity of said body.

3. In a container structure, a deformable plastic nozzle comprising a tubular body having a flat end extremity and an inner edge defining a pouring mouth, a cap threadedly mounted on said body and formed. of material harder than the nozzle and including a closure end having a centrally disposed and inwardly tapered stopper portion engageable in sealing Contact with the pouring mouth defining edge, said closure end also having an annular bead engageablev in sealing contact with the flat end extremity of said body, said bead closely surrounding the tapered stopper portion so as to be effective as it is forced into the fiat end extremity of the nozzle body to form an annular seal and at the same time to deform the tubular body inwardly in a manner for accentuating the annular. seal of; the, tapered: stopper portion against the pouring mouth definingv edge;

4. Container structure. as. defined in claim 3 wherein the pouring mouth definingedge; and the flat end extremity of the nozzle body are so cooperatively arranged with relation to the. tapered stopper portion of the cap closure end and: its: surrounding head that upon threading home of the cap: on; the nozzle body the tapered stopper portion first engages. and partially deforms said edge and then the. bead engages: and becomes embedded in. said fiat; end. extremity.

5. In a container structure, adeformable plastic nozzle comprising a tubular body havingaflat end extremity and an. inner edge. defining a pouring mouth, a cap threadedly mounted onsaid body and formed of material harder than the nozzle and including a closure end having a centrally disposed and inwardly tapered stopper portion engageable in sealing contact with the pouring mouth defining edge, said closure end also having an annular bead engageable in sealing contactwith the flat end extremity of said body, said bead closely surrounding the tapered stopper portion so as to be effective as it is forced into the flat end extremity of the nozzle body to form an annular seal and at the same time to deform the tubular body inwardly in a manner for accentuatingthe annular seal of the tapered stopper portion against the pouring mouth defining edge, there also. being included a metal container wall having a neck upstanding therefrom and embracing the nozzle body and said nozzle body having an outwardly directed flange abutting said container wall inwardly of said neck, andsaid capincludinga skirt engaging said container wall. when the cap is threaded home on the nozzle body to assure against displacement of the nozzle inwardly in the neckby forces applied against the outer end of the nozzle and the cap thereon, the opposing surfaces of the container Wall and the cap having cooperating protuberances and recesses effective when the cap is screwed home on the nozzle to interengage and prevent inadvertent turning of the cap and breaking of the annular seals.

6. A closure cap comprising a tubular body which is internally threaded and a closure end having a centrally disposed inwardly tapered stopper portion and an inwardly directed bead surrounding said stopper portion in con centric relation thereto.

7. A closure cap comprising a tubular body which is internallly threaded and a closure end having a centrally disposed inwardly tapered stopper portion and an inwardly directed bead surrounding said stopper portion in concentric relation thereof, said head being- V-shaped in cross section.

8. In a container'structure, a plastic nozzle comprising a tubular body having an outwardly extending abutment flange at itslower end extremity, a metal container Wall having a neck upstanding therefrom and embracing the nozzle body with the abutment flange placed firmly over the juncture of the neck with said wall, and a closure cap threadedly mounted on the nozzle body and including a skirt engaging said wall when the cap is threaded home on the nozzle body to assure against displacement of the nozzle inwardly in the neck by forces applied against the outer end of the nozzle and the cap thereon, the opposing surfaces of the container wall and the cap have cooperating protuberances and recesses effective when the cap is screwed home on the nozzle to interengage and prevent inadvertent turning of the cap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Fox Aug. 1, 1922 Gross Aug. 17, 1926 Erhard Ian. 28, 1936 Merchant July 27, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Dec. 3, 1952 

